A major new solar farm could soon be developed near Burnett in the heart of Bath and North East Somerset.

The 28.2 hectare site to the east of the village could generate enough electricity to power 5,763 homes in the district each year.

A statement submitted with the application to Bath and North East Somerset Council said: “The objective is that the renewable electricity produced by the solar array is used where it is generated as part of a local distributed energy network. This concept is vitally important for local decarbonisation, energy security and reducing power costs as more of our power requirements are met by renewable energy.”

But six locals have objected to the plans. S. Freedman said: “I object to this application on the basis that this land is for food growing. What is more important, food to feed people or energy for lighting/heating. To me it is food. Instead of placing solar panels in fields every new house built should have solar panels on the roof and existing houses should follow suit.”

David Eachus added: “Stop destroying our wildlife and farmland. This whole area is being systematically polluted with planning applications.”

The applicants said the site will continue to be used for agriculture. Their statement said: “It is envisaged that the fields under the panels will remain in agricultural use and used for sheep grazing during the site’s operational lifetime.”